Ornamental wheel cover



July 5, 1949. e. A. LYON ORNAMENTAL WHEEL COVER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 5, 1944 July 5, 1949. G. A. new 2,474,853

ORNAMENTAL WHEEL COVER Filed July 5, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ET'TZEZ 61:02 as x9455??? 1V0.

ECQWWW- Patented July 5, 1949 UNITED STATES T FFHCE ORNAMENTAL COVER George Albert Lyon, Allenhurst, N. J. Application July 5, 1944,.SerialNo. 543,523

9 Claims.

from a plurality of parts which are attached together, thisattachment ordinarily being accomplished by inwardly extending flanges on the cover parts, these flanges being secured together. Such a multi-part structure is particularly desirable in the event that the cover is to be made from several different materials Considering the function of ornamentation of these cover members, one of the difiiculties in :the multi-part structures in the past has been the appearance of an annular crack at the junction of the cover parts, this crack appearing .on the outer side of the cover to break the continuity thereof and to generally detract from the ornamental appearance thereof.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide an ornamental, multi-part Wheel cover construction in which a crack is present at the junction of the parts and yet in which the crack is not readily visible so that the ornamental appearance of the cover is augmented.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved method for forming and securing together concentrically disposed circular cover members adapted for disposition over the outer side of a wheel structure.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a multi-part cover assembly in which the parts are held together in such a manner that an annular crack is present at the junction of the cover parts, there being provided in the'sheet material of the cover a plurality of concentrically isposedalterna'te beads and ridges of suoh'radial depth and so disposed that they span the inter mediate portion of the multi-part cover containing the junction crack, whereby the crack is given the appearance of being one of the concentric :ridges between concentric beads, and whereby the crack blends with the cover assembly and appears as part of the scheme of the configuration on the cover.

It is another object of the present invention to provide-a new method of making a cover assembly in which I form, from a flat piece of sheet material, a dish shaped member having a marginal portion, the marginal portion being shouldered and the dish-shaped portion being. severed therefrom and reversed to be disposed in the shoulder of themarginal portion and then formed against thedishedportion with a reentrantccnfiguration to secure the parts together, the parts being further formed with a corrugated or beaded configuration which spans the junction to conseal the junction crack therebetween.

Many other objects and advantages of the invention will become-apparent from the tollowe -ing description and accompanying drawings, in

which:

Figure 1 is aside elevational view of a wheel structure embodying my invention and con.- structed in accordance with the method of my invention;

in Figure 2.

it will he understood that the embodiment shown herein is for illustrative purposes only and may be changed or modified without departing from the spirit and scope-of the invention as Set forth in the appended claims.

The wheel structure with which my invention may be associated may take any of many forms, however, in the present instance, the wheel includes;a-tire rim in of the drop center type having :a base flange H which is secured to a central rbodypportion L2 by means of a flange I211 having circumferentially spaced radially inwardly delpressed :portions to provide wheel openings at the'junction of the wheel parts. The central load bearing :portion 12 is provided at the radially inner part thereof with a circular bolt-on fi-ange 5| 3 .The tire :rim 1-0 .is further provided with oppo- -site side wall flanges 14, opposite intermediate flanges'li:andopposite edge portions 16, between which may be disposed a pneumatic tire ll having an'inner tube is provided with a valve stem 1 5 that extends through an aligned aperture in th respective side wall flange Hi.

The cover structure disclosed herein as embodying my invention may be made from any -suitable ,-formab1e sheet material, however, in the present instance there is disclosed a multi-part cover assembly constructed in part from sheet metal and in part from sheet plastic material. Covers constructed from sheet plastic-material are advantageous in that they are resiliently flexible and thus may be temporarily deformed "locallyby manual manipulation in order to render therearside thereof and appurtenances conceaiedthereby, accessible.

In "the present cover assembly there is provided a radially outer annular cover part 29 provided with a radially outer annular margin 2| having a cross-sectional expanse whereby it may extend from radially within the junction of the wheel parts, to a point radially outwardly at the edge portion l6 of the tire rim. The portion 2| is also provided with a cross-sectional configuration whereby it substantially simulates the configuration of the side wall of the tire ll, thereby to give the appearance of being a part thereof or a continuation thereof and particularly to appear as the white side wall of the tire when it is colored white. Preferably the cover portion 2| is bordered on its radially outer side by a radially outwardly extending flange 22 which is available to somewhat conceal the junction between the tire rim and the tire and also is available to be rasped by the hands so that the cover may be flexed to render wheel weights attached to the rim or any other appurtenances accessible. This portion 2| of the cover furthermore may be provided with an aperture 23 through which the valve stem l9 may extend, attachment of the nozzle of an air hase to the valve stem I9 being accomplished by merely pressing the same against the stem and at the same time deflecting or bowing the cover portion 2| locally, axially inwardly so that the stem protrudes a greater distance therefrom than is shown in the drawings.

The cover member 20 is provided at an intermediate part thereof with a generally axially inwardly extending bead 24 which rests against the adjacent portion of the outer surface of the central load bearing portion l2 of the wheel, this bead 24 merging with a radially inwardly extending, arcuately, axially outwardly extending portion 25.

The cover assembly is completed by the provision of an intermediate annular cover member 26 and a central circular hub cap simulating cover member 21. Preferably these cover members 26 and 21 are secured together along a circular junction to be described presently, this junction being characterized by a crack which, in the absence of the present invention, is visible from the outer side of the cover, it being an aim of the present invention to so construct the cover assembly and particularly the members 26 and 21 thereof that the appearance of the crack, as such, will be eliminated.

The annular, intermediate cover member 26 is provided generally with a radially outer portion 28 having a radially outer margin bent back upon itself as at 28a to bear against the adjacent portion of the outer surface of the cover member 20. The portion 28 of the cover member 26 is provided with a generally arcuate configuration somewhat similar to the portion of the cover member 29. This arcuate portion 28 is terminated on the radially inner edge thereof with a bent back, substantially axially inwardly extending retaining flange 29 having a turned back marginal edge 30 for reinforcing the same. This marginal edge is arranged to be cammed over the peaks 3| formed in resilient spring clips 32 which are circumferentially spaced around the wheel and are attached to the central bolt-on flange l3 by rivets 33' as shown in Figure 2.

As will be seen from the drawings, the radially inner edge of the portion 25 of cover member 20, which is preferably constructed from sheet plastic material, is disposed in abutting relation with the radially outer surface of the flange 29 and is bowed slightly axially inwardly by engagement against the inner side of a hump 34 formed on the flange 29 to extend radially outwardly therefrom. The radially outer part of the portion 25 of cover member 20 is tightly pressed against the outer surface of the wheel portion by means of the turned back margin 28a of the intermediate cover member 26 and in this manner the cover member 20 is tightly secured to and anchored to the wheel when the cover member 26 and particularly the flange 29 thereof is disposed over the resilient clips 32.

The radially outer marginal edge of the central circular hub cap simulating cover member 21, as will be seen from Figure 2 is flared radially outwardly and extends axially inwardly as shown at 27c thus to be obliquely disposed in the groove formed in flange 29 of the cover member 26 by the bead 34 thereof. In this manner the cover members 26 and 27 are permanently and securely maintained together as a unitary structure, however, it will be seen that as viewed from the axially outer side of these cover members, this junction affords a circular crack on the outer side of the structure. In many instances this appearance of the circular crack as such detracts from the ornamental appearance of the cover and for this reason its appearance thereon is objectionable.

To the end that the crack may blend with the cover assembly and not appear as such from the outer side thereof, as will be seen in Figure 1, the cover members 25 or 21 are provided with concentrically disposed alternate beads and ridges and grooves, each being provided with a bead 35 and 36 respectively which is formed at the radially inner and outer part thereof respectively to border the junction crack. With such a construction the junction crack then becomes one of the alternate concentric grooves in the cover with the result that the regular appearance thereof is not dis rupted by the presence of a junction crack.

It will be understood that varying configurations can be imparted to the companion cover members to obtain the effect above set forth, it merely being necessary that the configuration imparted thereto be of such a cross-sectional or radial expanse and so disposed as to bridge or extend into adjacency with the portion of the cover containing the junction crack.

From the foregoing it will be seen that there is provided herein a multi-part cover assembly having an outer annular portion which is maintained upon the wheel by virtue of the attachment of a multi-part central portion to the wheel, this outer portion preferably being constructed from a compressible plastic sheet material, whereby it may be sandwiched between the wheel and the remaining portion of the cover to cushion the same against the development of rattle during use. Furthermore the inner portion of the cover may be made up of a plurality of parts necessitating a junction crack visible from the outer side of the cover without the crack being discernible as such during use, this being accomplished by the provision of concentric ridges on the cover which span or extend into adjacency with the junction so that the crack therein may be concealed by one of those ridges.

In the construction shown in Figure 3, the arrangement differs from that of Figure 2 only in that a slightly different wheel attachment structure is utilized requiring a slight change in the cover construction. In this figure like parts to those of Figure 2 are similarly identified.

In the construction of Figure 3 it will be seen instead of the resilient spring clips 32 the wheel is provided on the central load bearing portion thereof with a plurality of radially inwardly extending attachment humps l3a which are circum- 'ferentially spacedaround the wheel. Thus while the 'turned back margin 3ll of Figure 2 is turned radially inwardly upon the flange 29, the equivalent margin 31 of Figure 3 is turned radially outwardly-of the flange :29 to engage in biting relationship with the axially inner surface of the humps 13a after the cover assembly including members "26 and 21 has been urged axially inwardly of the wheel so that the margin til progressesinwardly-beyond the peaks of the respective humps.

In bothof the assemblies shown in Figures 2 and 3 removal of the cover from the wheel may be accomplished by disposition of the point of a pry-off tool behind the radially outer margin of the portion 28 of the cover member 26. The tool may't'hen "be fulcrumed against the edge portion of the tire rim' to withdraw the inner cover assembly outwardly "from the'wheel. Thereafter the cover member 2%! may be readily removed In Figures 4 to 8 I havedepicted the progressive steps of the novel methodutilized in the manufactureand assembly of cover members 26 and Figuredrepresentsan-edgeelevation of a sheet "-38 of any suitable formable stock material which is susceptible of being stamped, drawn and rolled. This sheet-of stock is first formed to the shape s'how-n in'Figure 5'which includes a radially outer marginal portion '39 which is provided with a cross sectional configuration generally similar to theportion -28 of'the finished cover member 21, a cylindrical intermediate portion 4t and a dished crown portion M which is provided. with a crosssectional configuration generally similar to the 'configurationof the central circular cover mem- "her 26 of the finished product. Preferably the sheet material 38 is stamped into the configuration shown in Figure 5 and during this operation. is also provided with a radially outwardly ofiset portion 42 providing an annular shoulder t3 at the upper edge of the intermediate cylindrical portion 40 as shown in Figure 5.

"The formed .membershown in Figure 5 is then subjected to a severing operation along the line at. thejunction of the lower end of the cylindri- .:cal portion 40 and the dished crown portion ll, this severing operation preferably being perjformed in such a manner that the respective edges produced are curled slightly radially outward- 1y asshown at 44 and 45.

After the severing operation of Figure 6 has been performed the annular marginal portion 39 is subjected to a suitable rolling operation-during which the concentric beads are formed therein on the curvate portion 28, the turned back radially outer margin 28a is formed and the radially in wardlylturned margin 30 is formed on the axially inner edge of the flange 29. Thus it will be seen that the intermediate cover member 21 as described in conjunction with Figure 2 has been completed with the exception of the attachment of the-central cover member thereto. It will be understoodthat if the cover is being constructed for awheel' such .as that shown in Figure 3 then the last rolling operation upon theannular mem- :ber 33 "will beperformedin such a manner that the radially ontwardlytumed flange 37 is formed thereon instead of the radially inwardly turned fiange-3ll.

After the severing operation of Figure 6 the neutral disk portion- H is also'subjected to a stamping or rolling operation during which the annular bead 36 is provided at the radially outer part thereof immediately radially inwardlyofthe outwardly flared edge 44.

As shown 'in Figure '7 the cover member?! is then disposed upon the cover member 28 inroverse relationship therefrom as shown in Figure 5 with the edge 44 resting upon the annular shoulder created by the offset all in the cover member 2 B.

As shown in Figure 8, the assembly of Figure 7 is then subjected to a further crimping orrolling operation whereby the ofiset 42 is turned radially inwardly'over the flare ill of the cover member 21to provide the bead 3t on the cover member 26 and the correlated opposite grooveifor receiving the edge of the cover member 21. .By means of this operation, the covers 26 and 21 are not only securely attached together but also the junction crack is further closed to augment the blending thereof with the scheme of the configurations on the cover assembly.

From the foregoing it will be seen that there is provided herein a highly efficient, improved multipart cover structure in which the separation line or crack at the junction of the parts is effectively obviated as such so as to augment rather than detract from the appearance of the wheel and that also there is provided herein a novel method of constructing such a cover at a minimum of expense and with a minimum wastage of material since the circular part out from the annulus is later used as a central cover part for coop n therewith.

I claim as follows:

1. In a multi-part cover assembly for disposition over the outer side of a wheel structure, radially outer .and inner, concentricall disposed cover members having axially turned portionsiat adjacent circular parts thereof, said axially turned portions affording a junction of the cover members when secured together, and one of said axially turned portions extending axially inwardly to a substantial extent beyond the other of said portions and being adapted for attachment of the cover assembly to the wheel structura said other portion being interlocked with said one por tion adjacent to said junction, a plurality'of configurations formed in the cover assernbly'to appear from the outer side thereof and to simulate the axially outward appearance or said junction, said configurations being so disposed as to be coextensive radially with the junction so that the junction appears as a part of the scheme of the configurations.

2. In a multi-part cover assembly for disposition over the outer side of a wheel structure'having a tire rim and a central load bearing portion, a radially'outer annular cover member havinga part extending radially outwardly on the wheel overthe tire rim with a cross-sectional configuration similar to that of the adjacent side wall of the tire in the tire rim to give the appearance of being a continuation of said side wall, said annular cover member also having a radially inner part arranged to overlie the radially outer part of the central load bearing portion of the wheel, an intermediate, annular cover member havinga radially outer part arranged to overlie the inner part of the radially outer cover membcrand an axially inwardly extending flange for retention on the wheel, said flange having a protuberance for engaging and anchoring the inner edge :of the radially outer cover member, and a centralcov-er member provided at the outer edge with a generally, axially, inwardl extending flange for retained engagement with the flange on the inter mediate cover member to maintain said members together.

3. In a multi-part cover assembly for disposition over the outer side of a wheel structure having a tire rim and a central load bearing portion, a radially outer annular cover member having a part extending radially outwardly on the wheel over the tire rim with a cross-sectional configuration similar to that of the adjacent side wall of the tire in the tire rim to give the appearance of being a continuation of said side wall, said annular cover member also having a radiall inner part arranged to overlie the radially outer part of the central load bearing portion of the wl'ieel, an intermediate, annular cover member havin a radially outer part arranged to overlie the inner part of the radially outer cover member and an axially inwardly extending flange for retention on the Wheel, said flange having a protuberan e for engaging and anchoring the inner edge of radially outer cover member, a central cover member provided at the outer edge with a generally, axially, inwardly extendin {or retained engagement with the flange on intermediate cover member to maintain said members together, and a plurality of concentric configurtions formed on said radially outer part of the intermediate cover member and said inner cover member to appear on the outer surface thereof and to simulate the axially outward ep armies of the junction between said intermediate and inner cover members, said configurations being so disposed as to be co-extensive radially of the junction so that the junction appears as a part of the scheme of the configuration.

A. In a multi-part cover assembly for dis tion over the outer side of a wheel structure ing a tire rim and a central load. bearing portion, a radially outer annular cover member formed from sheet plastic material so as to be locally re silient and yet so that it will snap bacl: to initial configuration when distorting pressures are relieved therefrom, said cover having a extending radially outwardly on the wheel over the tire rim with a crosssectional configuration similar to that of the adjacent side wall of the tire in the wheel, and also having a radiall inner part arranged to overlie the radially outer part of the central load bearing portion of the wheel, an intermediate, annular cover member having radiall outer part arranged to overlie the inner part of the radiall outer plastic cover member with the radially outer edge thereof bearing against the adjacent portion of the plastic cover member to press the same against the wheel, said intermediate cover member also having axially inwardly extending flange for retention on the wheel, said flange having means for engaging and anchoring the inner edge of the radially ou er plastic cover member, and a central cover member provided at the outer edge with a generally axially inwardly extending flange for retained engagement with the flange on the intermediate cover member.

5. In a multi-part cover assembly for disposition over the outer side of a wheel structui r dially outer and inner, concentrically (115F300 cover members having axially turned portions at adjacent circular parts thereof, said axially turned portions afiording a junction of the cover members when secured together, the axially turned portion on th radially outer cover member extending axially inwardly a substantial distance beyond the turned portion on the inner cover member and adapted for attachment of the cover to the wheel structure, and a plurality of concentric, alternate beads and grooves formed in the cover assembly to appear from the outer side thereof, said beads and grooves being so disposed as to be co-extensive radially of the cover junction so that cover junction appears as a part of the scheme of the beads and grooves.

6. In combination in a multi-part cover assembly adapted for disposition over the outer side of a wheel structure, a radially outer annular cover member, a central cover member, and an intermediate annular cover member having an axially inwardly extending portion disposed between the outer and inner cover members, said portion of the intermediate cover member having an annular radially inwardly opening groove therein defined by a radially outwardly projecting bead on such portion, said inner cover memher having an edge structure interlockingly engaged within said groove and said outer annular cover member having an inner edge structure engaging said bead, said axially extending intermediate cover portion being adapted for attachment to the wheel structure for holding the cover assembly in place.

'7. A cover assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein the axially inwardly extending portion of the intermediate cover member has an inturned margin adapting the same for engagement by spring clips carried by the Wheel structure.

8. A wheel cover assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein the axially inwardly extending intermediate cover portion has an outturned margin adapting the same for snap-on engagement with protuberances on a dished nose portion of the wheel structure.

9. In combination in a multi-part cover assembly adapted for disposition over the outer side of a wheel structure, an outer annular cover member, and an inner cover member, said outer cover member having an axiall inwardly extending flange thereon including an inwardly spaced ani nular radially inwardly opening groove, said inner cover member having an axially inwardly and radially outwardly extending marginal portion interlockingly engaging within said groove so that the inner cover member is carried by the outer cover member, said cover members having cooperating spaced annular surface beading wherein two of the beads flank the juncture of the cover members and blend harmoniously into the beaded pattern on the cover members for concealing said juncture.

GEORGE ALBERT LYON.

REFERENCES CITED The following referenlces are of record in the 

